For this assignment, you will spend one hour in the field (two 30-minute sessions) in a location where you can observe part of a community for aspects of social disorganization. Choose one location to observe at two different times of day or two locations to observe at the same time of day. Try to select a location like a park, shopping center, beach, or thoroughfare where you can observe the surroundings and people and interactions. Please be mindful of all COVID-19 protocol in the community you observe. You will use this assignment template
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to complete your data collection and analysis.
You will observe and document all the things you experience (see, smell, hear, interact, feel, etc). Your fieldnotes should include rich description of the location and all of the things you observe. It should take you approximately an equal amount of time to compose the fieldnotes as you were in the field. Do not identify individual by name or other identifier, though you can describe their appearance and behavior and quote things you overhear people saying.
First, you will produce at least one page of single-spaced typed notes, in narrative form (meaning complete sentences; DO NOT WRITE IN BULLETS). Anytime you want to offer your impression, assumption, reflection, or interpretation of what you see, then put that information in [brackets]. Also check off on the checklist the things you see. Feel free to add any other aspects of social disorganization you think are noteworthy.
Second, you will look across your notes and analyze them in the style of thematic analysis (see Braun & Clarke, 2006). Provide at least two themes from your observations and describe how your fieldnote data shows evidence of these themes. This section should be at least two paragraphs.
Third, provide a reflection on your positionality as a researcher. The positionality refers to how you see the world from your life’s personal experiences and your values. Discuss how your experiences and values shaped your interpretations of what you saw and how you felt in the field. How has where you grew up, the places you’ve lived and traveled shaped how you perceived the place to be “disorganized.” Did you compare this space to other places you’ve been or lived? If so, how did this comparison shape your experiences with what you wrote in your notes. How did this then shape the themes you found in your analysis? What experiences do you not have that might narrow your interpretation of the space? What experiences do you think you would need to fully understand the space you spent time in? This reflection should be at least one paragraph and include how your position in society and your identity statuses influence how you view your data and conduct your analysis.
Compose the fieldnotes in Microsoft Word using the template and be sure to include the location, date, time, duration, and your name. Save the file as: Fieldnotes_YOURNAME.doc(x). Submit via the Canvas assignments page.
